Complimentary Alternative Medicine

Question 1

Herbals

• Ginkgo biloba

Answer 1

o Ginkgo biloba
 Uses: memory disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease, H/A, tinnitus, vertigo, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, hearing disorders, hearing disorders, claudication, Raynaud’s syndrome
 Efficacy (possibly effective for): AD and other forms of dementia, improving thinking problems caused by old age, improving thinking in young people, painful response to cold (Raynaud’s), leg pain when walking due to poor blood flow (claudication, peripheral vascular disease), vertigo and dizziness, PMS, glaucoma, and improving color vision in people with diabetes
 Possibly ineffective for: tinnitus, SAD, sexual problems related to antidepressant medicines, preventing symptoms of mountain/altitude sickness, and heart disease

Question 2

Herbals

• Ginger

Answer 2

o Ginger
 Uses: stomach issues, motion sickness, morning sickness, arthritis pain, muscle soreness, menstrual pain
 Efficacy: 1 hr before surgery seems to reduce N/V, reduces menstrual pain, reduce arthritis after 3 months

Question 3

Herbals

• Garlic

Answer 3

o Garlic
 Uses: HTN, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, stomach cancer, rectal cancer, tick bits, fungal infection of the skin
 Efficacy: lower bp, reduce atherosclerosis in elderly, reduces risk of rectal, colon, stomach cancers, repels ticks

Question 4

Herbals

• Glucosamine

Answer 4

o Glucosamine
 Use: Improves cartilage and joints
 Efficacy: several studies support use as aid in cartilage regeneration, synovial fluid support within joints and anti-inflammatory effect

Question 5

Herbals

• St. John’s Wort

Answer 5

o St. John’s Wort
 Uses: depression and symptoms, loss of appetite, relieve heart palpitations, menopause symptoms, nerve pain, IBS
 Efficacy: effective for mild to moderate depression, decreasing anxiety, improve mood, not effective in severe depression, effective in menopausal symptoms, wound healing in ointment form